Documentaries featuring John Waters

by ggggeorgia | created - 18 May 2014 | updated - 18 May 2014 | Public
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1. Seed Money: The Chuck Holmes Story (2015)

Not Rated | 71 min | Documentary, Biography, History

Seed Money is the story of Chuck Holmes, a San Francisco pornographer turned philanthropist. Holmes helped shaped and create gay identity in the years after Stonewall, and later became a ... See full summary »

Director: Michael Stabile | Stars: Jeff Stryker, Steven Scarborough, John Travis, John Waters

Votes: 140

2. Intimate Portrait (1990–2005)
Episode: Ricki Lake (1999)

TV-14 | Documentary, Biography

Add a Plot

Stars: Ricki Lake, John Waters

3. Little Castles (1998)

29 min | Documentary, Short

Little Castles is one of the first in-depth, historical examinations of the concrete creation. And the 30-minute film--produced and researched by Lillian Bowers, directed and edited by ... See full summary »

Director: Skizz Cyzyk | Star: John Waters

Votes: 20

4. Welcome to Hollywood (1998)

R | 89 min | Comedy

A young actor struggling to make it in Hollywood is noticed by a film director, whose main focus is directly on him accomplishing his goal.

Directors: Tony Markes, Adam Rifkin | Stars: Adam Rifkin, Jane Jenkins, Scott Wolf, Peter Facinelli

Votes: 2,216

5. Behind the Music (1997–2021)
Episode: Blondie (1998)

TV-14 | Documentary, Biography, Music

The career of the punk band Blondie is documented with interviews from the band. It also shows them preparing for the No Exit tour, their first and album in 17 years.

Stars: Debbie Harry, Chris Stein, Jimmy Destri, Clem Burke

Votes: 44

6. Anthem (1997)

124 min | Documentary

A captivating cross-country adventure brought to life by two young women who take the road to explore and expose the American Dream. Armed with a Powerbook and a couple of cameras, ... See full synopsis »

Directors: Shainee Gabel, Kristin Hahn | Stars: Robert Redford, Michael Stipe, Studs Terkel, Winona LaDuke

Votes: 135

7. American Cinema (1995–1996)
Episode: The Star (1995)

Documentary

Early on, Hollywood saw that recognizable talent could minimize the financial risks of film production.

Stars: John Lithgow, Kathleen Turner, Joan Crawford, Jane Russell

Votes: 132

8. Last Dance (1994 TV Movie)

90 min | Documentary, Drama, Music

A drama-documentary on the development, rise to fame and the aftermath of Studio 54.

Directors: Al Corley, Horst Königstein | Stars: F. Murray Abraham, Benny Andersson, Jellybean Benítez, Truman Capote

Votes: 24

9. The 20th Century: Yesterday's Tomorrows (1999 TV Movie)

99 min | Documentary

This documentary by Barry Levinson and producers Berge and Rabin takes a look at what we, as Americans, thought the future would be, as we traveled through the 20th century. Houses and cars... See full summary »

Director: Barry Levinson | Stars: Richard Belzer, Octavia Butler, Phyllis Diller, Spalding Gray

Votes: 54

11. Pie in the Sky: The Brigid Berlin Story (2000)

75 min | Documentary, Biography

66 Metascore

Brigid Emmett Berlin, eldest of three daughters born to socialite parents, became an American artist and Warhol superstar.

Directors: Shelly Dunn Fremont, Vincent Fremont | Stars: Brigid Berlin, Paul Morrissey, Honey Berlin, Richard E. Berlin

Votes: 225

12. E! True Hollywood Story (1996– )
Episode: Pia Zadora (2002)

TV-PG | Documentary, Biography

The documentary style program profiled the life and career of entertainer, Pia Zadora.

Stars: Jermaine Jackson, Maureen Kane, Stacy Keach, Ed McMahon

Votes: 25

13. The Cockettes (2002)

R | 102 min | Documentary

77 Metascore

Documentary about the gender-bending San Francisco performance group who became a pop culture phenomenon in the early 1970s.

Directors: Bill Weber, David Weissman | Stars: Larry Brinkin, Peggy Cass, The Cockettes, Pristine Condition

Votes: 625 | Gross: $0.22M

15. All About Desire: The Passionate Cinema of Pedro Almodovar (2001 TV Movie)

49 min | Documentary, Biography

A rare look at the the career of film director Pedro Almodóvar, especially his early works, with interviews with the director himself and his stars and admirers.

Director: Nick Cory Wright | Stars: Stephen Frears, Victoria Abril, Woody Allen, Pedro Almodóvar

Votes: 96

16. Save Our History (1998– )
Episode: America's Most Endangered 2001 (2001)

Documentary, History

Baltimore's "The Senator" Theater; Ford Island, Hawaii; North Dakota Prairie Churches; Purdue Barn, Indiana; Stevens Creek Settlements, Nebraska; Los Caminos Del Rio Heritage Corridor, ... See full summary »

Stars: Josh Binswanger, John Waters, Tom Clancy, Tom Kiefaber

17. Memories of Oz (2001 TV Special)

Unrated | 30 min | Short, Documentary

Interviews with filmmakers/fans Willard Carroll and John Waters, Stephen Cox, author of The Munchkins of Oz, Munchkin actors and others on the impact and influence of the 1939 MGM film version of The Wizard of Oz.

Stars: John Waters, Willard Carroll, Jane Lahr, Margaret Pellegrini

Votes: 123

19. Sylvester: Mighty Real (2002)

11 min | Documentary, Short, Biography

A musical bio-profile of the openly gay music legend Sylvester.

Director: Tim Smyth | Stars: Gilbert Baker, Marty Blecman, Tony Elite, Cal Ellis

20. A History of Sex (2003)

60 min | Documentary

Andres Serrano is a New York photographer most famous for his controversial 1987 work Piss Christ. This documentary follows him to Amsterdam where he shoots a collection based on all aspects of sex.

Director: Michael Coulter | Stars: Janine Amsterdam, Laurence Fishburne, Xaviera Hollander, Andres Serrano

Votes: 242

21. Hollywood High (2003 TV Movie)

60 min | Documentary

Documentary examining how the seductive highs and excruciating lows of drug use have evolved on-screen during the last 60 years.

Director: Bruce Sinofsky | Stars: Darren Aronofsky, Willem Dafoe, Stephen Gaghan, Mary Harron

Votes: 58

23. Art in the Twenty-First Century (2001– )
Episode: Stories (2003)

TV-PG | 54 min | Documentary

How do artists tell stories in their work? How does contemporary art reflect and reveal narrative traditions? How does the art of today record and describe the world around us? The Art:21 ... See full summary »

Stars: Trenton Doyle Hancock, Kiki Smith, Do-Ho Suh, Kara Walker

24. Abby Singer (2003)

79 min | Comedy, Drama

Chronicles the life of Curtis Clemins, who is torn between the love of his life and accomplishing his dream. When hitting rock bottom during the Sundance Film Festival, Clemins' calls upon ... See full summary »

Director: Ryan R. Williams | Stars: Ryan R. Williams, Gloria Smith, Clint J. Palmer, Robin Ballard

Votes: 202

26. Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea (2004)

Not Rated | 74 min | Documentary

72 Metascore

Renowned cult film director John Waters narrates this quirky exploration of the Salton Sea, the massive Southern California lake that was created by accident a century ago, became a popular... See full summary »

Directors: Chris Metzler, Jeff Springer | Stars: Sonny Bono, John Waters, Norm Niver, Petre Melvin

Votes: 695 | Gross: $0.05M

28. Blondie: Live by Request (2004 TV Special)

120 min | Music

Music legends Blondie performs their hits.

Director: Lawrence Jordan | Stars: Jules Asner, Clem Burke, Paul Carbonara, Leigh Foxx

Votes: 32

29. Thinking XXX (2004 TV Movie)

Not Rated | 59 min | Documentary

For a book project, photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders took photographs of 30 stars of adult movies, each pair of photographs in the same pose, clothed and nude. This film records the ... See full summary »

Director: Timothy Greenfield-Sanders | Stars: Sunrise Adams, Briana Banks, Belladonna, Seymore Butts

Votes: 1,162

30. Biography (1987– )
Episode: Traci Lords (2004)

TV-14 | Documentary, Biography, History

Add a Plot

Stars: Traci Lords, John Waters, Humphry Knipe, Ginger Lynn

Votes: 123

31. Biography (1987– )
Episode: Melanie Griffith (2004)

TV-14 | 60 min | Documentary, Biography, History

Add a Plot

Directors: Joe Danisi, Lee Grant | Stars: Alec Baldwin, Antonio Banderas, Seth Green, Melanie Griffith

Votes: 116

32. Inside Deep Throat (2005)

NC-17 | 89 min | Documentary, Biography, History

64 Metascore

An examination of the infamous pornographic film Deep Throat (1972), covering aspects from the film's creation to its cultural impact.

Directors: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato | Stars: Linda Lovelace, Harry Reems, Dennis Hopper, Gerard Damiano

Votes: 7,036 | Gross: $0.65M

33. That Man: Peter Berlin (2005)

Unrated | 81 min | Documentary, Biography

64 Metascore

This intimate film reveals the legendary man with the white saran wrapped pants, undersized leather vests, and Dutch-boy haircut who is the iconic Peter Berlin.

Director: Jim Tushinski | Stars: Peter Berlin, Armistead Maupin, John Waters, Jack Wrangler

Votes: 424 | Gross: $0.06M

34. I Love the 80's 3-D (2005)

Documentary, Comedy

A look back at the years 1980-1989 with commentary from celebrities and comedians in 3-D.

Stars: Cassandra Peterson, Harry Anderson, 'Weird Al' Yankovic, Alan Thicke

Votes: 507

35. I Love the Holidays (2005 TV Special)

90 min | Documentary, Comedy, Family

Several holidays and their various television specials and traditions are discussed by celebrities and comedians.

Stars: John Aboud, Michael Ian Black, Charo, Michael Colton

Votes: 148

36. This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006)

Unrated | 98 min | Documentary

75 Metascore

Kirby Dick's exposé about the American movie ratings board.

Director: Kirby Dick | Stars: Kirby Dick, Kimberly Peirce, Darren Aronofsky, Atom Egoyan

Votes: 28,631 | Gross: $0.30M

38. Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema (2006)

81 min | Documentary

A chronological look at films by, for, or about (or 'by, for, and about') gays and lesbians in the United States, from 1947 to 2005, from Kenneth Anger's "Fireworks" to Ang Lee's "Brokeback... See full summary »

Directors: Lisa Ades, Lesli Klainberg | Stars: Randy Barbato, Dan Bucatinsky, Jonathan Caouette, Ash Christian

Votes: 840

41. (buz'be bur'kle)n. A Study in Style (2006 Video)

19 min | Short

Film directors, including John Landis and John Waters, discuss the work of Busby Berkeley.

Directors: Eric Clawson, Karen Hillhouse, Eric Sanford | Stars: Larry Billman, John Landis, John Waters

Votes: 33

42. Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis (2006)

Not Rated | 94 min | Documentary

72 Metascore

A mesmerizing collage of images and audio from the life and work of Jack Smith, the underground filmmaker, photographer, performance artist, and anti-capitalist, who worked in New York from... See full summary »

Director: Mary Jordan | Stars: Jack Smith, Nayland Blake, Ira Cohen, Tony Conrad

Votes: 185

44. I Love the '70s: Volume 2 (2006– )

60 min | Comedy

Celebrities and comedians are back to discuss more important historical moments and popular culture for the 1970's.

Stars: Dom DeLuise, John Waters, Alison Arngrim, Charo

Votes: 270

45. 50 Films to See Before You Die (2006 TV Movie)

195 min | Documentary

Celebrating the relaunch of Film4 as a free-to-air TV channel, Channel4 counts down their list of the fop 50 films to see before you die, as compiled by film critics and personalities.

Directors: Olivia Blythman, Richard Mortimer, Stuart Ramsay | Stars: Richard Teideman, David Aaronovitch, Jenny Agutter, Stephen Armstrong

Votes: 183

47. The Wire: It's All Connected (2006 TV Movie)

29 min | Documentary

A behind-the-scenes look at the fourth season of The Wire.

Director: Souzan Alavi | Stars: Gbenga Akinnagbe, Benay Berger, Al Brown, Lamar Brown

Votes: 110

51. Tracks (1997– )
Episode: Spécial Freaks (2005)

Documentary, Music

Spécial Freaks.

Stars: Asia Argento, Larry Clark, Joe Coleman, The Dresden Dolls

52. Sex: The Revolution (2008– )

42 min | Documentary

Frankly examines a colorful and controversial chapter of modern American history, when individuals and events coalesced to challenge the moral orthodoxy surrounding sex and sexual behavior.... See full summary »

Stars: John Waters, Hugh Hefner, Phil Donahue, Bruce Vilanch

Votes: 272

53. Starz Inside: In the Gutter (2008 TV Movie)

TV-MA | 60 min | Documentary

Starz Inside takes a look at the best gross-out and boundary-pushing films in cinema history.

Director: Jeffrey Schwarz | Stars: David Ansen, Scott Aukerman, Phillip J. Bartell, Milton Berle

Votes: 109

54. Dead On: The Life and Cinema of George A. Romero (2008)

Documentary, Biography

"Dead On" examines George's fantastic body of film work as it stands to date, and investigates a number of aspects of George's work, working style, and involvement with the independent and Hollywood film communities.

Director: Rusty Nails | Stars: George A. Romero, Dario Argento, Jason Winn 'J.B. Destiny' Bareford, Danny Boyle

Votes: 48

55. Guest of Cindy Sherman (2008)

Not Rated | 88 min | Documentary

64 Metascore

A documentary on art-scene commentator Paul Hasegawa-Overacker's relationship with enigmatic photographer Cindy Sherman.

Directors: Tom Donahue, Paul Hasegawa-Overacker | Stars: Cindy Sherman, John Waters, Eric Bogosian, Danny DeVito

Votes: 240

56. SqueezeBox! (2008)

91 min | Documentary

Like the weekly pansexual party it pays tribute to, SqueezeBox! immortalizes the no-holds-barred, anything-goes attitude that its denizens embodied. The legendary club where the Toilet Boys... See full summary »

Directors: Steven Saporito, Zach Shaffer | Stars: Kevin Cahoon, Michael Cavadias, Chantal Claret, Jayne County

Votes: 38

58. Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story (2007)

Not Rated | 82 min | Documentary, Biography

Chronicles the last great American showman, filmmaker William Castle, a master of ballyhoo who became a brand name in movie horror with his outrageous audience participation gimmicks.

Director: Jeffrey Schwarz | Stars: Forrest J. Ackerman, John Badham, Diane Baker, Sidney D. Balkin

Votes: 685

59. You Can't Stop the Beat: The Long Journey of 'Hairspray' (2007 Video)

78 min | Documentary

A documentary following the making of the 2007 musical Hairspray.

Directors: Katy Leigh, Jeffrey Schwarz | Stars: Nikki Blonsky, Amanda Bynes, Judi Cooper-Sealy, Leslie Dixon

Votes: 53

61. Obscene (2007)

Not Rated | 97 min | Documentary, Biography

73 Metascore

A look at the life and work of American publisher Barney Rosset, who struggled to bring controversial works like "Tropic of Cancer" and "Naked Lunch" to publication.

Directors: Daniel O'Connor, Neil Ortenberg | Stars: Amiri Baraka, Lenny Bruce, William S. Burroughs, Jim Carroll

Votes: 261

63. Queens of Disco (2007 TV Movie)

60 min | Documentary

The leading Queens of the disco era including Gloria Gaynor, Grace Jones, Chaka Khan, Madonna, Donna Summer and Sylvester are profiled. Graham Norton narrates.

Director: Jeff Simpson | Stars: Nick Ashford, Andy Bell, Jellybean Benítez, Beyoncé

Votes: 20

64. Schau mir in die Augen, Kleiner (2007)

90 min | Documentary, History

Documentary on the history of gay and lesbian film.

Director: André Schäfer | Stars: John Waters, Wieland Speck, Rosa von Praunheim, Jennifer Morris

Votes: 141

65. Treasures Untold: The Making of Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' (2006 Video)

46 min | Documentary

Find out how the spectacular music inspired the animation, and learn more about the development of the characters-such as how Ursula ended up being a big octopus-and how the memorable song "Part of Your World" almost got cut from the film.

Stars: Roger Allers, Ruben A. Aquino, Howard Ashman, Jodi Benson

Votes: 53

66. The Wild World of Ted V. Mikels (2008)

Not Rated | 68 min | Documentary

THE WILD WORLD OF TED V. MIKELS, a new documentary by Kevin Sean Michaels (no blood relation to Ted, but the same spirit), is a rollicking look at the independent cinema and film pioneering... See full summary »

Director: Kevin Sean Michaels | Stars: John Waters, Ted V. Mikels, Tura Satana, Lila Zaborin

Votes: 65

67. Starz Inside: Ladies or Gentlemen (2008 TV Movie)

TV-14 | 60 min | Documentary

Why do movie audiences find men in skirts and women in pants anything but a drag? Discover the playful history of the most daring cross-sexual performances in Hollywood history, from Some Like it Hot to Big Momma's House.

Director: Kevin Burns | Stars: Tim Curry, Andy Fickman, John Landis, Jack Lemmon

Votes: 57

68. It Came from Kuchar (2009)

Not Rated | 86 min | Documentary, Comedy

67 Metascore

The definitive documentary about the zany, underground filmmaking twins, George and Mike Kuchar.

Director: Jennifer M. Kroot | Stars: George Kuchar, Mike Kuchar, Dan Carbone, John Carlson

Votes: 324

69. The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special: In 3-D! On Ice! (2010 TV Movie)

TV-14 | 42 min | Documentary

Morgan Spurlock examines the cultural phenomenon of The Simpsons (1989).

Director: Morgan Spurlock | Stars: Morgan Spurlock, Matt Stone, Trey Parker, Seth MacFarlane

Votes: 442

70. William S. Burroughs: A Man Within (2010)

Not Rated | 87 min | Documentary

63 Metascore

William S. Burroughs: featuring never before seen footage as well as exclusive interviews with his closest friends and colleagues. Born the heir of the Burroughs' adding machine estate, he ... See full summary »

Director: Yony Leyser | Stars: Fred Aldrich, Laurie Anderson, Amiri Baraka, Jello Biafra

Votes: 1,240 | Gross: $0.05M

71. Beautiful Darling (2010)

Not Rated | 85 min | Documentary

69 Metascore

A documentary on Candy Darling, The Life and Times of the Andy Warhol Superstar.

Director: James Rasin | Stars: Candy Darling, Andy Warhol, Holly Woodlawn, Fran Lebowitz

Votes: 862

72. Blank City (2010)

Unrated | 94 min | Documentary

70 Metascore

During the punk rock stage in the late '70s, downtown New York experienced a wave of "Do it yourself" independent filmmaking.

Director: Celine Danhier | Stars: Amos Poe, Ann Magnuson, Becky Johnston, Beth B

Votes: 835 | Gross: $0.12M

73. Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore (2010 Video)

Not Rated | 106 min | Documentary

Gory, Gory, Hallelujah! Take an outrageous ride through the wild world of exploitation films with this often-hilarious documentary, HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS, THE GODFATHER OF GORE!

Directors: Frank Henenlotter, Jimmy Maslon | Stars: Mal Arnold, John Bloom, Duane Carney, Roger Christensen

Votes: 393

74. These Amazing Shadows (2011)

Not Rated | 88 min | Documentary

Tells the history and importance of The National Film Registry, a roll call of American cinema treasures that reflects the diversity of film, and indeed the American experience itself.

Directors: Paul Mariano, Kurt Norton | Stars: Jeff Adachi, James H. Billington, Robin Blaetz, Brooks Boliek

Votes: 1,758

75. The Advocate for Fagdom (2011)

Not Rated | 91 min | Documentary

The Advocate for Fagdom unites the puzzle pieces one by one. Testimonies are combined with rare archive images. Art galeries present movie extracts that are succeeded by images shot on ... See full summary »

Director: Angélique Bosio | Stars: Bruce La Bruce, Glenn Belverio, Bruce Benderson, Jürgen Brüning

Votes: 112

76. Mansome (2012)

PG-13 | 82 min | Documentary

35 Metascore

A documentary that explores the question: In the age of manscaping, metrosexuals, and grooming products galore - what does it mean to be a man?

Director: Morgan Spurlock | Stars: Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, Morgan Spurlock, Zach Galifianakis

Votes: 2,938 | Gross: $0.02M

77. Time Zero: The Last Year of Polaroid Film (2012)

93 min | Documentary, History

Various photographers and employees of Polaroid recount their experiences with the company's instant film in its final year of production.

Director: Grant Hamilton | Stars: Layne Anderson, Sawyer Anderson, Dave Bias, André Bosman

Votes: 140

78. Paul Bowles: The Cage Door Is Always Open (2012)

Not Rated | 93 min | Documentary, Biography

'Paul Bowles: The Cage Door is Always Open' tells the story of writer and composer Paul Bowles and his wife Jane. They married in New York in 1937, and although they both had homosexual ... See full summary »

Director: Daniel Young | Stars: Paul Bowles, Skiredj Bachir, Roland Beaufre, Bernardo Bertolucci

Votes: 53

79. The Rep (2012)

Not Rated | 99 min | Documentary

Follows the first year of business for Alex, Charlie, and Nigel as they try to make their theatre, The Toronto Underground Cinema, a success in the dying world of repertory cinema. The film... See full summary »

Director: Morgan White | Stars: Charlie Lawton, Nigel Agnew, Alex Woodside, Andrew Parker

Votes: 43

81. The Sarnos: A Life in Dirty Movies (2013)

Unrated | 100 min | Documentary, Biography

69 Metascore

A documentary shot at the end of pornographer Joe Sarnos's life, which reveals his attempt to make one last film, as well as his relationship with his wife, Peggy.

Director: Wiktor Ericsson | Stars: Joseph W. Sarno, Peggy Steffans, Michael J. Bowen, John Waters

Votes: 528

82. The Last Impresario (2013)

Not Rated | 92 min | Documentary, Biography

The most famous person you have never heard of

Director: Gracie Otto | Stars: Michael White, Gracie Otto, Naomi Watts, John Cleese

Votes: 97



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